Pakistan Security Forces Kill Militants09/03 06:38

   

   ISLAMABAD (AP) -- Pakistan's security forces killed 15 militants attempting 
to cross into the country from neighboring Afghanistan, the military said 
Thursday, a sign of continuing tensions along the border.

   In a statement, the military identified the killed militants as "Fitna 
al-Khawarij," a term Pakistani authorities use for the Pakistani Taliban, or 
Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, known as the TTP. It alleged that the militants were 
sponsored by India.

   The militants were detected on Tuesday as they attempted to enter North 
Waziristan, a district in Pakistan's northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, 
the military said. An exchange of fire continued for 36 hours.

   There was no immediate comment from Kabul or New Delhi. Pakistan has often 
accused Afghanistan and India of supporting the TTP and other militant groups, 
allegations both countries deny.

   Pakistan's acting President Yousaf Raza Gilani praised security forces for 
"thwarting the infiltration attempt" and killing 15 militants. In a statement, 
he said militants backed by India would not be allowed to disrupt Pakistan's 
peace, stability, and prosperity, and that counterterrorism operations would 
continue until terrorism was eliminated.

   Militant violence has surged in Pakistan in recent months, with much of it 
blamed on the TTP, which is separate from but closely allied with the Afghan 
Taliban. Pakistan says many TTP leaders and insurgents have found sanctuary in 
Afghanistan since the Taliban returned to power there in 2021, an allegation 
Kabul denies.

   The latest operation came a day after Pakistan's Foreign Ministry said 
progress in improving ties with Afghanistan hinged on actions and assurances 
from Kabul.

   Ministry spokesman Tahir Andrabi said a Chinese envoy, Yue Xiaoyong, this 
week visited Islamabad and met his Pakistani counterpart, Mohammad Sadiq, as 
part of efforts to ease tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan. But Andrabi 
said improved relations would depend on "verifiable, written assurances from 
the Afghan side that their territory will not be used for terrorism against 
Pakistan."

   In April, China hosted talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan in the western 
city of Urumqi to end fighting that erupted between the two countries in 
February and left hundreds dead. Since then, Pakistan has not held any talks 
with Kabul.

   In the statement, the military said the latest attempted infiltration by 
militants reinforced its contention that the Afghan Taliban government was 
failing to prevent its territory from being used to launch attacks against 
Pakistan. "The Afghan Taliban Regime has consistently failed to ensure 
effective border management and honor its international obligations," it said.